Road construction is a test of endurance, not only for the locals who wait for the finished product but also for the workers making it happen. Few understand this better than someone who’s been part of the industry for five decades. After travelling 77 kilometres from Kigali to Burera, we were greeted by Bruce Julian, a youthful-looking assistant project manager on a China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) project in northern Rwanda. Julian led us along the expressway set to become the Base-Butaro-Kidaho road, stretching 63 kilometres. ALSO READ: CRBC’s 50-year milestone in Rwanda: Guo Meng on company’s commitment to quality, its impact Julian, a graduate of a Chinese engineering university, has been with CRBC for five years. “My main focus is bridging the gap between the work on-site, administration, and local authorities,” he shared. “I’m the link between the project and the outside world, handling public relations and coordinating safety campaigns.” As we drove through the dusty, uneven road, Julian explained how he manages community outreach. “There’s a big difference now,” said Olive Dusabemariya, a mother of three. “From here, Salamu to Musanze used to cost Rwf1,500, but now with the improved road, it’s about a third of that. Even bicycles are functioning again—they didn’t before. The kids are back to their routines, though we have to be cautious with the heavy machinery around. “In terms of development, we’ve started seeing more small business owners emerge. You can sell potatoes and make a decent income these days. We’re excited to see what the future holds once the road is fully complete.” ALSO READ: Burera residents no longer need to cross the Border for water Francois Sendegeye, a father of 16 who has lived in the area for over 70 years, reflected on the changes: “The road used to be so narrow, but now it’s been widened to accommodate several vehicles. Movement was limited, and getting an ambulance to respond was a real challenge, but that’s changing. We’ve even gotten electricity from the grid. Now, water is the next issue we hope to see addressed.” Sendegeye also highlighted how local jobs and learning opportunities have been invaluable, a point echoed by Julian. “The main contribution of CRBC in Rwanda is the transfer of skills,” Julian explained. “We have engineers from abroad, particularly China, working alongside local teams. With each project, you see young Rwandans gaining experience and skills from their international colleagues. “CRBC has built around 2,000 kilometres of roads and bridges across the country, but the biggest legacy is the knowledge we leave behind. The technology and equipment may come from China, but the real impact is in the exchange of skills. Even the Chinese workers pick up some Kinyarwanda. It’s become a cultural exchange as much as a construction project, fostering deeper ties between Rwanda and China.” ALSO READ: Burera registers decline in smuggling, drugs — officials Li Bing, an engineer and project manager for CRBC’s Base-Butaro-Kidaho road project, a joint venture spanning 63 kilometres of roads and bridges, explained the partnership: “We’re working alongside NPD, with them leading the project and CRBC as the foreign partner. We’re combining efforts on this road, with NPD responsible for the section from Base to Butaro, and us overseeing the stretch from Butaro to Kidaho.” When asked about the project’s impact on the local communities, both during and after construction, he shared: “Once we began, we needed many workers. Initially, we brought in employees from previous contractors based in Kigali and other cities, but now, in my section alone, we have over 300 local workers. More than 70 per cent of the workforce comes from the surrounding areas. “After construction, the road will provide better access to the local hospital and university, benefiting the community in education and healthcare.” Li Bing also highlighted the economic potential the road will unlock: “We’re close to the Ugandan border, and many goods are transported along this route. Once the road is complete, traffic won’t need to rely on the Musanze road anymore. This new road will offer a faster connection from Uganda to Kigali, which will be a major advantage for the region.” On the challenges faced, he noted: “Traffic management has been our biggest issue, especially from Kidaho to Butaro. The terrain is steep, with many rocks, and the road runs alongside Burera Lake, so we have to be mindful of environmental protection. Transporting materials long distances to designated dumping sites is necessary to meet environmental standards.” He continued: “Another challenge is keeping the road open during construction. The current road is narrow, and we occasionally block traffic with construction materials. To address this, we keep a wheel loader on standby near the worksite. When debris falls onto the road, we immediately clear it to ensure vehicles can pass smoothly.” “Another challenge we face is the safety of local children,” Li Bing shared. “Many of them aren’t yet in school or haven’t been educated about road safety. With so many vehicles and heavy machinery passing through, it can be dangerous. In other countries, like China, we would close off the construction area to prevent access for safety reasons. But here, it’s different. The children are curious—they’ve never seen such machines before. Once we start working, they often come to watch, like it’s a movie. “But it’s risky, so we’ve made every effort to educate the community. At the end of last month, we organised a football match at the local playground. During the event, we held safety training sessions for the children and parents, with the mayor and the DPC from the police station leading the discussions. They emphasised the importance of parents keeping a close eye on their children around the construction sites.” Li Bing expressed the project’s core mission: “Our goal is to bring value to the local community and make sure people can enjoy the road safely. We don’t want to see any accidents, especially ones involving children.” As for progress, he noted, “From Kidaho to Butaro is about 23 kilometres, and CRBC has completed around 14 kilometres of the earthwork, which is almost half. However, we are still facing challenges with expropriation, as some local houses remain in the area.” For an area that once struggled with impassable roads during the rainy season, this new road is set to be a game changer. With the rise of the University of Global Health Equity, a premier institution in Butaro, and the Butaro Level II Teaching Hospital, the region is beginning to experience real growth. Locals are now eyeing opportunities in hospitality, thanks to the road’s proximity to Lake Burera. As CRBC celebrates 50 years in Rwanda, they take pride in being a part of this transformation.
